Texas Mayor Responds to “Shariah Court” in Her Town… It’s Not What Muslims Wanted to Hear

You may have heard about the so-called “Shariah court” that’s been established in (of all places) Texas. As we’ve reported, the tribunal would settle disputes between Muslim parties who agree to submit to use it as an arbiter.

However, the city in which the court was to be located — Irving, Texas — has now issued a statement that puts the court’s future into doubt. Among other things, the mayor came out swiftly and strongly against the arrangement.

“Sharia Law Court was NOT approved or enacted by the City of Irving. Recently, there have been rumors suggesting that the City of Irving has somehow condoned, approved or enacted the implementation of a Sharia Law Court in our City,” Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne wrote in a Facebook post.

“Let me be clear, neither the City of Irving, our elected officials or city staff have anything to do with the decision of the mosque that has been identified as starting a Sharia Court.” (H/T Mad World News.)

In addition, the mayor intimated her support of further legislation that would outlaw foreign law in Texas.

“Currently, Texas Supreme Court precedent does not allow the application of foreign law that violates public policy, statutory, or federal laws,” she wrote.

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“However, now that this issue has emerged in our community, I am working with our State Representatives on legislation to clarify and strengthen existing prohibitions on the application of foreign law in violation of constitutional or statutory rights,” she added.

While Texas did ban Shariah law, the law was vacated by a judge who found that it infringed upon religious freedom. (You know, like Shariah does.)

If, as a result of that decision, Mayor Van Duyne doesn’t think too much of the American court system, well, neither does the Islamic Tribunal — the Shariah organization in question, which isn’t too jazzed about American jurisprudence.

“The courts of the United States of America are costly and consist of ineffective lawyers. Discontent with the legal system leads many Muslims in America to postpone justice in this world and opt for an audience on the Day of Judgment,” the Islamic Tribunal stated.